Level with plumb alignment features

ABSTRACT

A level apparatus is provided with an elongate level and a support. The level and the support each have opposed ends, front and rear faces and top and bottom faces. The top and bottom faces of the support are substantially planar and parallel to one another, and the top and bottom faces of the level are substantially planar and parallel to one another. A central position on the support is pivotally connected to the level such that the rear face of the support is in opposed facing relationship to the front face of the level. The level can be used in a conventional manner without utilizing the support. However, the support can be pivoted relative to the level into an orientation where the top or bottom face of the support can be positioned on the upper face of a beam such that the level extends downwardly from the support and the beam. The level then can be used to define a plumb line to which other structural elements can be positioned or compared.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication No. 09/192,886, flied Nov. 16, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The subject invention relates to a level that can be used toachieve a specified alignment between two structural elements.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] A typical carpenter's lever is an elongated generally rectangularstructure having opposed first and second ends. Planar top and bottomfaces are aligned parallel to one another and extend between the ends.The top and bottom faces are the portions of the prior art level thatwill be placed against another surface for assessing horizontal orvertical alignment. The prior art level also has a front face and a rearface that connect the top and bottom faces and the respective ends. Thefront and rear face on most prior art levels also are parallel to oneanother. However, the prior art does include torpedo levels that havethe front and rear faces tapering towards one another in proximity tothe respective ends of the level. Other prior art levels have recessedfront and rear faces so that the level has a cross-section thatresembles an I-beam.

[0006] A typical prior art level includes a plurality of glass tubesthat are partly filled with a liquid spirit. The portion of the tubethat is not filled by the liquid forms a bubble. Movement of the levelwill cause the liquid to gravitationally shift within the tube, andhence will cause a repositioning of the bubble. The tube includes a pairof lines that are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to thelength of the bubble. When the tube is aligned horizontally, the liquidwill be disposed symmetrically relative to the lines on the tube, andthe bubble will be positioned precisely between the lines. The typicalprior art level includes at least a first tube aligned parallel to thetop and bottom faces of the level, and at least a second tube alignedperpendicular to the top and bottom faces of the level.

[0007] The prior art level can be used by placing the top or bottom faceof the level on a substantially horizontal surface. The relativeposition of the bubble in the first tube provides an indication of thecloseness of the level to a horizontal alignment. The surface on whichthe level is supported may be adjusted to precisely position the bubblebetween the lines of the first tube, and to thereby achieve a fairlyexact horizontal alignment of the surface on which the level issupported.

[0008] The prior art level also may be used by positioning the top orbottom surface of the level on a substantially vertical surface. Therelative position of the bubble in the second tube provides anindication of the degree of verticality of the surface against which thelevel is supported. The structural member against which the level issupported may be adjusted until the bubble is precisely positionedbetween the lines of the second tube, thereby ensuring an accuratevertical alignment.

[0009] Virtually all carpenters and home owners have at least one goodquality level that is used frequently during any construction or repairproject. For example, levels are used to ensure an accurate horizontalalignment of floor beams and to achieve an accurate vertical alignmentof wall studs. Horizontal alignment of a structural member can beachieved more easily than vertical alignment. In particular, horizontalalignment of a beam can be achieved by merely placing the top or bottomface of the level on a substantially horizontal surface of the beam. Theworker then can use both hands to adjust the relative height of one endof the horizontal beam by using shims or the like. Both hands then canbe used to secure the beam in the precise horizontal orientation.Vertical alignment of a beam requires the worker to hold the levelagainst a substantially vertical surface with one hand while the otherhand is used to shift an end of the generally vertical beam. The workermay mark the position of the adjusted end of the beam on an adjacentsurface once a substantially vertical alignment has been achieved. Theworker then moves the level to a location where the level can beself-supporting and then uses both hands to affix the adjusted end ofthe beam. The worker then must check the vertical beam in this at leasttemporarily affixed position to ensure that the initial one-handedmarking was accurate. Further adjustments may be required.

[0010] Carpenters also use squares for measuring perpendicularity of twostructural members. The typical prior art square is formed from a rigidmaterial with two legs that are precisely perpendicular to one another.The material of the prior art square typically is very thin (e.g.,one-eighth inch). Each leg, however, will be approximately 1.0-2.0inches wide. The prior art square can be used to check perpendicularityof an inside corner or an outside corner formed by two beams or otherstructural elements. This checking of perpendicularity of an insidecorner is achieved by urging the thin outside edges of the prior artsquare into an inside corner between two structural elements. A perfectseating of the outside edges against the inside surfaces of thestructural elements indicates precise perpendicularity. An improperfitting indicates further adjustments to one or the other of thestructural elements is required.

[0011] The inside corners of the prior art level can be used in asimilar manner to check the perpendicularity of an outside corner of twobeams or other structural elements. In particular, the thin inside edgesof the prior art square can be urged against the outside corner surfacesof the structural elements. Perfect seating of the thin inside edges ofthe prior art square against the surfaces of the structural elementsindicates precise perpendicularity. An improper seating of the thininside edges indicates that adjustments to one or the other structuralelement is necessary.

[0012] The thin perpendicularly aligned edges of a square that are usedto check perpendicularity are not very stable. Furthermore, the sharpoutside corner of the prior art square can easily cut a worker if thesquare is dropped. As a result, the above-described prior art squarestypically are held by the worker at all times during use and arecarefully supported in a safe location when they are not being used.

[0013] Some prior art tools incorporate levels into a square. A priorart tool of this type can be used, for example, to check the horizontalalignment of the top of a door jamb and simultaneously to check theperpendicularity of the sides of a door jamb to the top member.

[0014] Some prior art squares have the respective legs of the squarearticulated to one another. This enables the adjustable square toachieve or measure a non-perpendicular orientation between two beams orother structural elements. For example, such an adjustable square can beused to gauge an angle between a first roof rafter and a first floorjoist. The adjusted square then can be moved to other locations foreither comparing the angles between other roof rafters and floor joistsor for setting other such angles. Some such prior art adjustable squaresinclude a level in one or both of the pivotally connected legs. All suchprior art squares are configured to be held by the worker against aninside corner or an outside corner as in the above-describedconventional fixed right angle squares. More particularly, the axis ofrotation of the two legs of these prior art adjustable squares extendssubstantially parallel to the surfaces of the legs of the squares thatare positioned against the beams or other supporting elements. Thus,achieving a selected angular orientation becomes a very difficult taskwith such a prior art adjustable square. The worker must manually holdthe adjustable square against inside or outside corners of thestructural elements being aligned and then must make any adjustments tothe structural elements that may be required. The making of adjustmentsto the structural elements requires the worker to deposit the adjustablesquare at a remote location while the end of at least one of thestructural element is adjusted. The worker then retrieves the adjustablesquare and again checks the angular alignment. This process may have tobe repeated several times before a proper alignment is achieved.

[0015] The prior art also includes large, complex and costly apparatusfor aligning roof rafters. These complex and costly apparatus foraligning roof rafters have few if any other uses for general carpentry.

[0016] In view of the above, it is an object of the subject invention toprovide a level with plumb alignment features that enables a worker tocheck and achieve selected angles between two structural members.

[0017] It is a another object of the subject invention to provide analignment apparatus that can be used to achieve a plumb or verticalalignment of one structural member relative to a second structuralmember.

[0018] It is an additional object of the subject invention to provide anapparatus that can be used as a conventional carpenter's level forchecking horizontal and vertical alignment.

[0019] It is yet a further object of the subject invention to provide alevel apparatus of approximately the same size, weight and cost as aconventional carpenter's level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The subject invention is directed to a level apparatus withalignment features. The apparatus includes an elongate carpenter's levelhaving opposed first and second ends. Parallel planar top and bottomsurfaces extend substantially continuously between the ends. Front andrear surfaces extend between the first and second ends and extendbetween the top and bottom surfaces. The front and rear surfaces may beparallel to one another.

[0021] The level may define any convenient length, and differentembodiments may be of different respective lengths. A typical level inaccordance with the subject invention will define a length of between1.0-4.0 feet, however, a pocket size level of approximately 8-12 inchescan be very useful. The height of the subject level, as measured betweenthe parallel top and bottom surfaces, also will be approximately equalto the height of conventional prior art levels. Thus, the heighttypically will be between 1-4 inches and most typically 2-3 inches. Thethickness of the level, as measured between the opposed front and rearfaces, also will be approximately the dimensions of a conventional priorart level. Thus, the level of the subject invention preferably willdefine a thickness of between 0.5-1.5 inch, and most preferablyapproximately 0.75-1.0 inch.

[0022] The level further includes a plurality of tubes containing asufficient amount of a liquid or spirit to retain a bubble in the tube.At least a first tube has a longitudinal axis aligned substantiallyparallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the level, and at least asecond tube has a longitudinal axis aligned substantially perpendicularto the top and bottom surfaces of the level. Thus, as in the prior art,the first tube can be used to check the horizontal alignment of asurface on which the top or bottom surface of the level is supported.The second tube can be used to check the vertical alignment of a surfaceagainst which the top or bottom surface of the level is supported.

[0023] The subject apparatus further includes a support member. Thesupport member may be substantially rectangular, and may include opposedfirst and second ends. Opposed parallel top and bottom faces extendbetween the first and second ends of the support member. Opposed frontand rear faces extend between and connect the first and second ends ofthe support member and the top and bottom faces thereof. The supportmember has a length substantially shorter than the length of the level,and preferably defines a length of between 4-8 inches, and mostpreferably about 6 inches. The support member defines a height, asmeasured between the parallel top and bottom faces, that is no greaterthan the height of the level, and that preferably is slightly less thanthe height of the level. The support member further defines a thickness,as measured between the front and rear faces that may be approximatelythe same as the thickness of the level. More particularly, the supportmember may define a thickness between approximately 0.5-1.5 inch, andpreferably 0.75-1.0 inch. The thickness of the support member isimportant to the supporting function of the support member as describedin greater detail below.

[0024] The support member is pivotally connected to the level at alocation substantially midway between the first and second ends of thesupport member and at a location that preferably is closer to the firstend of the level than to the second end. More particularly, the pivotpoint between the support member and the level preferably is spaced fromthe first end of the level by a distance equal to or slightly greaterthan one-half the length of the support member. The pivot point betweenthe level and the support member defines a pivot axis oriented to extendperpendicularly to the front and rear faces of the level andperpendicularly to the front and rear faces of the support member.Additionally the pivot axis is substantially parallel to the planar topand bottom faces of both the level and the support member. Thus, thefront or rear face of the support member is slidably positioned adjacentthe front or rear face of the level.

[0025] The face of the level to which the support member is pivoted maybe provided with angle indicating indicia. The indicia may be operativeto identify particularly angular orientations between the top and bottomfaces of the support member and the top and bottom faces of the level.Additionally, the pivotal connection of the support member to the levelmay include structure for releasably affixing the support member in aselected angular orientation. This pivotal connection may include aconventional threadedly tightenable nut, a spring to bias the level andsupport member into a non-rotatable engagement and/or interengageableteeth for achieving at least one specified angle.

[0026] The apparatus may be used by loosening the pivotal connection ofthe support member to the level sufficiently to rotate the supportmember into a non-colinearly alignment relative to the level. Forpurposes of this discussion, it will be assumed that the bottom face ofthe support member is facing generally downwardly. The bottom face ofthe support member then may be placed on the top surface of a firststructural element such that the second end of the level is suspendeddownwardly from the first structural element. The level then can berotated until the second tube indicates a substantially verticalalignment. This alignment can be used to gauge a proper verticalalignment of a second structural element. The apparatus can besubstantially self-supported in this aligning orientation by the supportmember gravitationally positioned on the upper surface of the firststructural element to which other structural elements are being aligned.In some instances, such as in the erection of an interior wall or anexterior deck, the support member can be positioned on the top surfaceof a horizontal joist. The level then will be substantiallyperpendicular to the top and bottom faces of the support member and willbe substantially plumb or vertical. Vertical studs in a wall or verticalsupporting members for a deck then can be positioned relative to thehorizontal joist and relative to the plumb line for vertical orientationindicated by the level.

[0027] In other instances, the apparatus can be used to set the raftersof a pitched roof. The apparatus is used by positioning the top orbottom face of the support member on a top face of the roof rafter. Thelevel is permitted to swing pendulously from the support member and fromthe rafter and into a plumb or vertical orientation. The upper end ofthe first rafter may be adjusted until a specified angle is achieved.This angle can be measured by determining the angle between thevertically oriented level and the top or bottom face of the supportmember. The support member then can be tightened or otherwise affixed inthe specified angle, and that angle can be used on other roof rafters toachieve the proper pitch. More particularly, the angularly fixed supportmember can be positioned on an upper surface of a roof rafter, and theupper end of the roof rafter can be adjusted until the level shows avertical orientation. In a similar matter, the apparatus can be used toaccurately align vertical support members or interior wall studsrelative to a pitched rafter. More particularly, the support member canbe supported on the top surface of a pitched roof rafter, and thevertically suspended level can be used for aligning vertical studs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view of a level apparatus inaccordance with the subject invention.

[0029]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the support for the levelapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the support shown in FIG. 2.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the level shown in FIG. 1.

[0032]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the level shown in FIG. 4.

[0033]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the assembled levelapparatus.

[0034]FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the assembled level apparatusshown in FIG. 6.

[0035]FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the level apparatus shown inFIGS. 6 and 7.

[0036]FIG. 9 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 6, but showingthe support in a different angular orientation.

[0037]FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view similar to FIG. 7, but showing thesupport in the orientation of FIG. 9.

[0038]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view showing the level apparatus inthe FIG. 9 orientation and mounted on a horizontal joist.

[0039]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIG.11.

[0040]FIG. 13 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 11, butshowing the level apparatus used with a pitched drafter.

[0041]FIG. 14 is an end elevational view similar to FIG. 8, but showingan alternate embodiment.

[0042]FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 14,but showing the support member in a different angular orientation.

[0043]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] A level apparatus in accordance with the subject invention isidentified generally by the numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 and 6-13. Theapparatus 10 includes a support 12, a level 14 and a connection assemblywhich, in this embodiment, comprises a bolt 16 and a nut 18.

[0045] The support 12, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, is aslightly elongated rectangular parallelepiped. The support 12 includesopposed first and second ends 20 and 22, a planar top face 24, a planarbottom face 26, a front face 28 and a rear face 30. The support 12defines a longitudinal axis having a length “l” as measured between theends 20 and 22 of approximately 6 inches, and a height “h” measuredbetween the top and bottom faces 24 and 26 of approximately 2 inches.Additionally, the support 12 defines a thickness “t” between the frontand rear faces 28 and 30 of approximately 1 inch.

[0046] A mounting aperture 32 extends completely through the support 12from the front face 28 to the rear face 30 at a location centrallybetween the top and bottom faces 24 and 26, but at an off-centerposition between the ends 20 and 22. In the embodiment shown herein, thesupport 12 further includes a pair of bubble tubes 34 and 36 that arealigned perpendicular to one another for indicating horizontal andvertical alignment respectively.

[0047] A level 14, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, also is a rectangularparallelepiped, but is substantially longer than the support 12. Moreparticularly, the level 14 includes a first end 40 and a second end 42.A longitudinal axis is considered to extend between the ends 40 and 42and defines an overall length “L” for the level 14 that preferably is inthe range of 2-4 feet. The level 14 further includes a planar top face44 and a planar bottom face 46 that extend substantially parallel to oneanother between the first and second ends 40 and 42. The top and bottomfaces 44 and 46 define a height “H” for the level 14 that is equal to orgreater than the height “h” of the support 12. The level 14 furtherincludes front and rear faces 48 and 50 which extend between and connectthe ends 40 and 42 and the top and bottom faces 44 and 46. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13, the front and rear faces aresubstantially parallel and planar. In other embodiments, as shown, forexample, in FIGS. 14-16, the front and rear faces may have non-planarshapes.

[0048] The level 14 is characterized further by a mounting aperture 52extending entirely therethrough from the front face 48 to the rear face50. The aperture 52 is disposed centrally between the top and bottomfaces 44 and 46. However, the aperture 52 is much closet to the firstend 40 of the level 14 than to the second end 42 thereof. In thisregard, the aperture 52 is spaced from the first end 40 by a distance“d” which is equal to or slightly less than the distance between the end22 of the support 12 and the mounting aperture 32. The level 14 furtherincludes at least a first bubble tube 54 having an axis aligned parallelto the length of the level 14, and at least a second bubble tube 56having an axis aligned substantially orthogonal to the length of thelevel 14. The tubes 54 and 56 indicate relative horizontal and verticalorientations, as in prior art levels.

[0049] The support 12 is mounted to the level 14 by registering therespective mounting apertures 32 and 52 with one another. In thisregistered condition, the end 22 of the support 12 will be aligned withor spaced slightly inwardly from the end 42 of the level 14.Additionally, the top and bottom faces 24 and 26 of the support 12 willbe aligned with or disposed inwardly from the corresponding top andbottom faces 44 and 46 of the level 14. The support 12 is secured to thelevel 14 in this registered condition by passing the bolt 16 through theregistered apertures, and threading the nut 18 onto the bolt 16. Asshown in the figures, and particularly FIG. 1, the bolt 16 defines apivot axis that is aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axes of thesupport 12 and level 14, orthogonally to the front and rear faces 28 and30 of the support 12 and orthogonally to the front and rear faces 48 and50 of the level 14. Additionally, the pivot axis defined by the bolt 16is parallel to the planes defined by the top and bottom faces 24 and 26of the support 12 and parallel to the planes defined by the top andbottom faces 44 and 46 of the level 14.

[0050] The pivotal connection of the support 12 to the level 14 enablesthe support 12 to be rotated about the pivot axis defined by the bolt 16from the orientation shown in FIGS. 68 to the orientation shown in FIGS.9 and 10, as well as any other angular orientation therebetween. Moreparticularly, in the FIGS. 6-8 orientation, the top and bottom faces 24and 26 of the support 12 are aligned parallel to the top and bottomfaces 44 and 46 of the level 14, with the rear face 30 of the support 12being in face-to-face engagement with the front face 48 of the level 14.In this orientation, the end 22 of the support 12 is between the ends 40and 42 of the level 14. However, the support 12 can be rotated 180°. Theoffset disposition of the mounting aperture causes the ends 20 of thesupport 12 to project beyond the end 42 of the level 14 to extend theeffective length of the level 14. In the FIGS. 9 and 10 orientation, thetop and bottom faces 24 and 26 of the support 12 are perpendicular tothe top and bottom faces 44 and 46 of the level 14. The support 12 canbe fixed at a selected angular orientation relative to the level 14 bymerely tightening the nut 18 on the bolt 16, or by incorporating aspring washer.

[0051] The apparatus 10 can be used, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11and 12. More particularly, the support 12 can be rotated about the pivotaxis of bolt 16 and into the orientation of FIGS. 9-12 where the top andbottom faces 24 and 26 of the support 12 are perpendicular to the topand bottom faces 44 and 46 of the level 14. The bottom face 26 of thesupport 12 then can be positioned on the top surface of a substantiallyhorizontal beam 58. The support 12 has a sufficient thickness “t” asmeasured between the front and rear faces 28 and 30 for supporting theentire apparatus 10 from the beam 58. The second end 42 of the level 14then is permitted to be suspended substantially vertically below thebeam 58. Precise vertical orientation of the level 14 can be achieved byminor pivoting of the level 14 relative to the pivot axis defined by thebolt 16 and as indicated by the second bubble tube 56. The nut 18 thencan be tightened to the bolt 16 for securely maintaining this verticalorientation of the level 14. A second beam (not shown) then can bepositioned beneath the beam 58, with the axis of the second beam alignedsubstantially vertically with either face 44 or 46 of the level 14. Thisalignment can be achieved with relative ease by a single worker due tothe relatively great thickness “t” of the support member 12 forpendulously supporting the apparatus 10 on the beam 58.

[0052] The apparatus 10 can be used in a slightly different manner, asshown in FIG. 13. More particularly, FIG. 13 shows a pitched rafter 62.The support 12 can be positioned on an upper surface of the pitchedrafter 62, and the level 14 can be pivoted into a vertical orientationas indicated by bubble tube 56. The nut then can be tightened with thesupport 12 and the level 14 in the FIG. 13 orientation. The apparatus 10then can be moved substantially in this condition to another pitchedrafter. The bottom face 26 of the support 12 can be placed on the topsurface of the second pitched rafter and the position of the bubble inthe tube 56 can be checked to determine whether the level 14 is plumb.If the level 14 is not plumb, then the worker knows that the secondrafter is pitched differently from the first rafter. Adjustments thencan be made to the pitch of the second rafter. This information can beuseful for a worker who is trying to repair an old existing roof and/orto install a new section of roof. Additionally, the apparatus used asshown in FIG. 13 can enable the worker to properly position verticalstuds relative to the pitched rafter 62.

[0053] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-13 includes a level 14 that is arectangular parallelepiped. However, many prior art levels do not have arectangular cross-section uniformly along their length, and there areadvantages in the context of the subject invention for using a levelthat is not a rectangular parallelepiped. In this regard, FIGS. 14-16show an apparatus 110 that has a support 112 substantially identical tothe support 12 described and illustrated above. However, the apparatus110 includes a level with front and rear faces 148 and 150 that arerecessed. The support 112 defines a height “h₁” that is sufficientlyless than the height “H₁” to permit the support 112 to be nested in therecessed front face 148 of the level 14. This will significantly reducethe cross-sectional dimensions of the apparatus 110 when the support 112is parallel to the level 114. This difference can be appreciated bycomparing the FIG. 8 depiction of the first embodiment to the FIG. 14depiction of the second embodiment. The second embodiment of theapparatus 110 can be used by loosening the nut 118 on the bolt 116 androtating the support into supporting engagement on the top and bottomflanges as shown in FIG. 15. Right angle orientation may be achievableeasily by providing aligned notches in the top and bottom flanges of thelevel 14 that are dimensioned sufficiently for receiving the support 112therein, as shown in FIG. 16. Other angular orientations, however, alsocan be achieved. The apparatus 110 can be used substantially in themanner shown with respect to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-13.

[0054] A third embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 17 and is identifiedgenerally by the numeral 210. The apparatus 210 shown in FIG. 17includes a level 214 that is substantially identical to the level 114shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. However, the support 212 assumes across-sectional configuration similar to but smaller than the level 214.This configuration for the support 214 can help to reduce the overallweight of the apparatus 110. More significantly, the configuration shownin FIG. 17 enables additional or other connecting structures to bepositioned between the support 212 and the level 214. For example, aratchet assembly can be positioned between the support 212 and the level214 for defining certain specified angular orientations for the support212 relative to the level 214. Additionally, springs can be employed forselectively biasing the ratcheting means into or out of engagement.

[0055] While the invention has been described with respect to apreferred embodiment, it is apparent that various changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. For example, otherstructures for pivotally connecting the support to the level can beprovided. Additionally, the support need not be pivoted in closeproximity to one end of the level. Rather, the level and the supporteach can be pivoted to one another at locations substantially centrallybetween their respective ends. This latter configuration may beparticularly desirable for levels that are very short, such as like theconventional torpedo level that can be carried in a pocket or tool beltof the worker. This latter embodiment may slightly reduce the accuracyof results achieved with the level but can lead to improved efficienciesfor certain instances. These and other variations will be apparent to aperson skilled in the art after having read the subject disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An alignment apparatus comprising: an elongatelevel defining a direction of elongation and having opposed first andsecond ends, planar parallel top and bottom faces extending between theends and spaced from one another by a level width, front and rearexternal faces extending between the ends and between the top and bottomfaces, said front and rear external faces facing outwardly on saidlevel, portions of the front face adjacent the top and bottom facesbeing substantially parallel to one another to define a plane extendingsubstantially parallel to the direction of elongation, a first levelbubble tube aligned substantially parallel to the direction ofelongation for indicating a first gravitational orientation of said topand bottom faces of said level, a second level bubble tube alignedsubstantially orthogonal to the direction of elongation for indicating asecond gravitational orientation of said top and bottom faces of saidlevel; a support having opposed ends, planar top and bottom facesextending between the opposed ends, and front and rear faces extendingbetween said top and bottom faces and between said ends, said top andbottom faces of said support being spaced from one another by a distancesubstantially equal to the level width, said support being pivotallyconnected to said front face of said level at a location between saidfirst end of said level and said level bubble tubes, a first supportbubble tube aligned substantially parallel to a top and bottom faces forindicating a first gravitational orientation of said top and bottomfaces of said support, a second support bubble tube alignedsubstantially orthogonal to the top and bottom faces of said support forindicating a second gravitational orientation of said top and bottomfaces of said support, the pivotal connection of the support to thelevel being maintainable at a selected pivotal orientation of saidsupport relative to said level, the support extending beyond the planedefined by the front face of the level, and the level being free ofstructures spaced from said support and extending beyond said plane,such that said level can be suspended from a structural member by saidsupport and oriented at a selected gravitational orientation with thefront external face of the level in abutting facing relationship with asurface of the structural member.
 2. The alignment apparatus of claim 1,wherein the support is pivotally connected to the level at a location onthe support a first distance from the first end of the support and asecond distance from the second end of the support, the pivotalconnection further being at a selected distance from the first end ofthe level, the first distance being no grater than the selected distanceand the second distance being greater than the selected distance,whereby the support can be pivoted from a storage position where the topand bottom faces of the support align respectively with the top andbottom faces of the level and where the first and second ends of thesupport are between the first and second ends of the level, and whereinthe alignment apparatus can be pivoted to an extended position where thetop and bottom faces of the support aligned respectively with the bottomand top faces of the level and wherein the second end of the supportprojects beyond the second end of the level.